Dear Heloise: It seems like there is always a significant amount of lotion left in a plastic bottle that won’t pump or pour out. In the past, I have added water and mixed it to thin it so that it would pour into another container. This, of course, dilutes it some, making it less effective. This last time I thought I would try microwaving it a few seconds to warm it enough to thin somewhat. It worked great. It poured easily and returned to its normal consistency when it cooled. — Raymond Kilgore, via email

EMERGENCY: IPHONE

Dear Heloise: Your message regarding persons falling alone: If they have an iPhone with Siri that they have nearby, merely yell, “Help.” Or speak, “Contact message.” This is the best, quickest way to get assistance with an iPhone. Truly a lifesaver!. Thanks. — N.T.S., via email

TOILET SEAT DILEMMA

Dear Heloise: I used to get upset with my husband, as he would not put the toilet seat up and I would have a wet seat. I gave up the battle — not worth the frustration — and started wiping the seat with toilet paper before I used it. That was great.

Then I finally realized I was wasting too much toilet paper — some to wipe the seat, then some to wipe myself. Now after I use the toilet, I put the seat up for him. I put it down for myself and back up for him. –Jackie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

NEWSPAPER SLEEVES

Dear Heloise: I didn’t use to do this, but now I save the plastic newspaper sleeves for a week and then put them in the newspaper slot for the paper delivery person. He said it saves him a lot to reuse them. — Ruthanne, via email

Ruthanne, thank you for the suggestion for reusing newspaper sleeves. Every bit of recycling that we do is good for our planet. Here’s another great reader hint. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read your column in Orange County Register. Today someone made a suggestion for the plastic bag that newspapers come in. I use these bags when I walk my dog to pick up his poop. I usually take two bags with me. They work so much better than the dog bags you buy. — J.K. in California

INSECT BITES

Dear Heloise My husband came up with a fix for insect bites or stings. Apply a generous amount of gel deodorant to the spot. The itching/stinging stops almost instantly. Later, after the gel dries, if the itching starts again, just reapply the gel. We have used this method several years for everything from chigger bites to wasp stings to mosquito bites, and it never fails. — Gloria B., Little Rock, Arkansas

MORE ON PASSWORDS

Dear Heloise: If you advise your readers to choose passwords that include both numbers and letters, the combinations are endless. — Sue, via email

Sue, so many of you have written to me with great suggestions on safe passwords. It is so helpful, because passwords have become important in our lives today. — Heloise

ICE CREAM HINT

Dear Heloise: In response to the writer who says the ice cream in the freezer is too hard: I’ve found that if you store ice cream in the freezer door, the consistency is perfect. Keep the tips coming. — Paul, via email

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.